Furrower and coverer



(No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet i.

' J. REUTHER.

IQE'URROWER AND GOVERER.

No. 351,938; Patented Nov. 2, 1886.

2' Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.) Y

- J. REUTHER.

. FURROWBR AND OOVERER.

No. 351,938. Patented Nov. 2, 1886.

l'zfomeyi,

N. PETERS, Pholoiilhcgmphur, Wnahinglan, DC.

' 3 Fig. 8 is a topplan view of said plate.

, UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BEUTHER, or ELMA,:NEW YORK, Assicuoa or ONE-HALF ro WILLIAM REUTHER, or SAME PLACE.

FURROWER AND COVERER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 351,938, dated November 2, 1886. 7 Application filed August 4, 1 886. Serial No. 209,935. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN REUTHER,' of Elma, in the county of Erie and State ofNew York, have invented new and useful Improve- ,5 ments in Furrowers and Ooverers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of machines which are employed for forming the furrows for planting potatoes, 8250., [O and for covering the furrows after the seed has been sown. I

The object of my invention is to construct a machine which can be used either for plowing or covering purposes, and which can be I 5 readily changed from a plowing to a covering machine, or vice versa.

My invention consists, to that end, of the improvements which will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved machine, showing the coverers in an operative position. Fig. 2 isa top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a front view of the machine. Fig. 4 is a central vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of one. 'of the coverers and plows, showing the plow in an operative position. Fig. 5 is a cross-section in line w m, Fig. 4.. Fig. 6 is a cross-section, on an enlargedscale, of the coupling, whereby the thill-supporting bar is connected to the frame of the machine. Fig. 7 is a cross-section, on an enlarged scale, of the locking-plate whereby the coverers are held against turning.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

The stationary frame of the machine is composed of two horizontal cross-beams, AA, and

40 a central reach or beam, A", which are rigidly scoured together by suitable braces.

B B represent two horizontal shafts, which are arranged on opposite sides of the central reach, A and made square in cross-section.

4 5 The shafts B B are provided with round ends, and are journaled in bearings 12, secured to the under side of the horizontal cross beams A A by vertical bolts b.

0 represent the plows, which form'the fur- 0 rows, and which are adj ustably secured to the horizontalshafts B B, so that they can be placed at any desired inclination toregulate the depth of the furrow. The plows C may be of any suitable and well-known construction, and are each provided with two parallel plates, 0 c, which "straddle the square shaft B, and through which pass two fastening-bolts, c 0 The opening through which the bolt 0 passes is made in the form of a curved slot, which permits the plow to be adjusted, while the opening through which the bolt 0 passes is slightly elongated, to allow of the necessary play of the parts for effecting this adj ustnient, as shown in Fig. 4..

The bolts 1), whereby the bearings 12 are secured to the horizontal beams A A, are arranged in vertical slots a, formed in said beams, so that by loosening the bolts 1) the shafts B and plows O, secured thereto, can be adjusted laterally to increase or reduce the distance between the furrows.

D D represent the coverers, which cover the furrows'after the seed has been sown, and which are constructed of steel or other suitable material.

The coverers DD are each composed of two converging plates, d d, and are arranged with their large open ends toward the front of the machine.- The rear end of each coverer D is provided with an opening or recess, d, for' the escape of the earthwhich accumulates between the side plates of the coverers. i

The coverers D D are arranged on the shafts B B, opposite the plows 0, so that by giving the shafts a half-turn the relation of the parts will be reversed and the covererswill assume the position formerly occupied by the plows, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The side plates of the coverers D are connected at their front ends by a stay-piece, D, which is secured to the square shaft by a clip, b. The opposite or rear ends of the coverers D are provided with a square opening, through which the shaft passes. By this means the coverers are rigidly secured to the shafts B B, and at the 5 same time capable of arocking movement with the shafts, whereby they are enabled to adapt themselves to the inequalities of the ground.

E represent inclined blades or shares secured to the lower inner sides of the coverers 100 g D, and which serve to loosen and disintegrate the soil.

F represents a horizontal locking plate, which is adapted to enter recesses f, formed in the adjacent front corners of the coverers D D, and whereby the latter and the shafts are prevented from turning, thereby holding the plows C rigidly in the proper position. The locking-plate F is arranged on the under side of the front beam, A, and provided with slotted lugs or earsf, through which pass vertical fastening-bolts f Upon loosening the bolts f the plate F can be moved on the beam A, and after the plate has entered the recesses 1' 5 f of the covers the bolts f 3 are tightened.

G represents the thills,which are pivoted with their rear ends to a cross-bar, H. The latter is pivoted at its center tothe frontcrossbeam, A, by a horizontal bolt, h, so that the position of the thills will not be disturbed by the movements of the frame of the machine. The thills G are supported by an inclined bar, I, which is secured with its front end to the cross-bar g of the thills and'with its opposite end to the beam A", by means of a clip, J. The latter is arranged in a vertical slot, j, formed in the beam A", so that the clip J, and bar I attached thereto, can be adjusted lengthwise on the beam A, to raise and lower the thills and accommodate their height to differentsized horses. Each leg of the clip J is provided with two screw-nuts, j,arranged,respectively, on opposite sides of the beam A, so that by loosening the two lower nuts the clip can be adjusted in the slot of the beam. The lower end of the supporting-bar I is provided with a hollow knuckle or head, 1', through which passes the crossbar j of the clip J, and the bore of the knuckle i is made flaring toward both ends, to permit of the necessary play of the knuckle on the clip.

L represents the handle whereby the machine is guided, and which is attached to the upper end of a standard, M, secured to the rear end of the machine. The handle is made vertically adjustable on the standard M by means of slotsl and bolts m.

K represents a marker of any suitable construction, which is arranged at the rear end of the machine and which marks the line of the next furrow.

When the machine is desired to be used as a furrower, the shafts B B are turned so as to bring the plows G in an operative position, as represented in Fig. 4, and the plows are adjusted to the proper angle by the bolts u c". The locking-plate F is then moved forwardly, so as to engage in the recesses f of the coverers, whereby the shafts B B are held against turning and the plows C retained in the proper position.v

lVhen the machine is to be used for covering the furrows, the locking-plate F is'withdrawn from the recesses f and the shafts B B are given a half-turn, so as to place the coverers in an operative position, as shown in Figs.

1, 2, and 3. The plate F is held in a retracted position by means of the bolts f so as not to interfere with the free movements of the coverers.

My improved machine is very simple in construction, and can be readily adapted as a furrower or coverer by simply reversing the parts.

I claim as my invention l. The combination, with the stationary frame and the horizontal shaft B, of the plow G and coverer D, arranged interchangeably on said shaft, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the stationary frame and horizontal shaft B, of a plow, C, arranged on one side of said shaft, and a coverer, D, arranged on the opposite side thereof, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the frame and horizontal shafts B B, made laterally adjustable on said frame, of the plows C C and coverers D D, arranged on opposite sides of said shafts, sabstantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the frame and horizontal shaft B, of the adjustable plow O and coverer D, arranged on opposite sides of said shaft, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the stationary frame and shaft B, of a plow, C, and coverer D, arranged on opposite sides of said shaft, and means, substantially as described, whereby the shaftB is prevented from turning, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with the stationary frame A and shaft B, of a plow, O, and coverer D, secured to opposite sides of said shaft, and a locking-plate, F, adapted to engage in a recess formed in said coverer, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 28th day of June, 1886. I

JOHN REUTHER. \Vitnesses:

CARL F. GEYER, W ILLIAM REUTHER. 

